Excise dept seizes illicit alcohol headed to Gujarat

08 October,2012 07:08 AM IST |   |  Urvashi Seth

Acting on a tip-off, authorities confiscate spurious whiskey filled in branded bottles from Bandra; probe reveals the illegal operation was being carried out of a godown at Vakola


In a big bust, state excise department officials nabbed a group of bootleggers and seized a consignment of 48 bottles of counterfeit liquor that was being taken to Gujarat.


Representation pic

According to a senior excise official, they received a tip-off that a car (MH02GA806) would be carrying illicit liquor.

Acting on the tip-off, officials laid a trap at Bandra and seized the spurious alcohol that was filled in 48 branded bottles from the car. It was also revealed that the driver of the vehicle did not have a permit to transport the alcohol. An excise official said, "Soon after we received the tip-off, we rushed to Bandra and seized the bottles. During our investigations it was revealed that the bottles had been refilled in a godown at Vakola." The official said that following the bust, information was passed on to division officials of Vakola.

Subsequently, the team raided the godown and seized illicit whiskey worth Rs 58 lakh.

The official added, "Soon after we nabbed the bootlegger at Bandra we were informed that the illicit liquor was on its way to Dadar from where it would have been sent to Gujarat. Hence, we accompanied the man in his car to Dadar and nabbed the other courier who was going to deliver the consignment to Gujarat."

"We fear the festive season will bring about an increase in bootlegging cases in the state. We have arrested four in the case and sought police custody," added the official.u00a0

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
news mumbai Gujarat alcohol headed illicit Excise Vakola Bandra